ABSTRACT:The Venus Barnett Family and Organizations Photographs and Scrapbooks collection contains three scrapbooks and two photo albums created by Kingsport resident Venus Barnett. The scrapbooks detail the early years of her marriage to Clyde Barnett and her involvement in various social groups such as the Woodlawn Garden Club and the Palette and Brush Club later in life. Scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and event programs. Also included in the collection are additional newspaper clippings, correspondence, and genealogical material. Folders are arranged alphabetically, and then chronologically.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

Venus Viola Halcomb was born in Kentucky during the year 1909. In 1927 she married Clyde Barnett and began a scrapbook that continued for the next five years. For several years the couple lived in Bristol before moving to Kingsport where Clyde eventually held the position of Office-Manager at Home Federal Savings. From the 1950s through the 1970s, Venus led a busy life. She was an avid gardener (as was her husband) who organized the Woodlawn Garden Club in 1953, serving several years as president and other times as an officer. Additionally, Venus wrote gardening columns for The Sullivan News and The Hemerocallis Journal: The Daily Gardener’s Magazine. She was also a renowned guest speaker and a nationally accredited flower show judgefor many years. Venus served as an officer or member for several other organizations including the Kingsport Council of Garden Clubs, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Garden Writers’ Association of America, the Palette and Brush Club, and the National League of American Pen Women. Venus died on 21 September 1987.

RESTRICTIONS:There are no restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.